CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Albemarle County School Board Vice Chair Allison Spillman announced Tuesday she is stepping down from her position. Her final meeting will be Aug. 13.

“My children deserve to have me fully present in their lives,” Spillman said. “And they should not have to endure hatred, harassment or criticism because their mother serves in public office.”

Spillman, the board’s at-large representative, was elected in November 2023, defeating conservative Meg Bryce by an overwhelming 62-38% vote margin. Spillman became the Vice Chair in January 2026.

She became a controversial figure following a social media post last fall. Spillman, a parent of a transgender student at Western Albemarle High School, posted a message to her personal Facebook page that some viewed as comparing Turning Point USA to the Ku Klux Klan. The club was preparing to host conservative activist Victoria Cobb for a speech arguing against the validity of transgender identity.

The county has been embroiled in the fallout of two staffer arrests. Michael Swiney, a former Social Emotional Learning Coach at Hollymead Elementary, was arrested in June and charged with 11 counts of sex crimes against children. In March, Nicholas Clark, a former fifth grade teacher at Woodbrook Elementary, was arrested in March on child pornography charges.

Since then, Albemarle County Superintendent Dr. Matthew Haas resigned, as did Hollymead principal Joe McCauley.

In an unrelated scandal, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Patrick McLaughlin was placed on administrative leave last month after sexual harassment allegations against him were made public.

“This is not a sudden decision, nor is it a reaction to the various people who recently demanded the resignation of this board,” Spillman said early in Tuesday’s meeting at the Albemarle County offices. “I’ve been considering this transition for months, and I originally intended to step down to the end of the last school year, but recent events made that timing difficult, and I chose to remain longer than planned to help support the transition to our new superintendent.

“I’m leaving because I feel confident in the job I’ve done. I’ve served this community with integrity, worked tirelessly on behalf of our students and families, and consistently gone above and beyond what this role has required.”